Larry Edwards

Larry Gene Edwards was born Oct. 17, 1937, to Walter and Marie George Edwards at the family home in Lewiston. Larry passed away Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, at his home in Sweetwater, following a two-month battle with cancer.

Larry attended school in Lewiston, graduating from Lewiston High School in 1956. He played football and baseball while in school, but his first love was always baseball. He played American Legion baseball for Coach Dwight Church - a memory he cherished throughout his lifetime. He always spoke fondly of his baseball teammates, who remained his friends. He also cherished the friendship of his high school classmates.

After graduation from high school, Larry went to work for Holsum Bakery in Lewiston. The bakery industry remained his trade and took him to Medford, Ore., and St. Petersburg and Orlando in Florida, where he served as distribution manager, general manager and president, retiring in 1993.

Larry also worked as a delivery driver, delivering Frito-Lay products and Lucky Lager beer on routes throughout the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley and prairie between his bakery jobs. Larry loved people and enjoyed visiting with everyone he met. When diagnosed with cancer, Larry asked that a message of appreciation be sent to everyone who touched his life. He believed every interaction enriched and blessed his life.

In 1977, Larry met Rachel Paisano. They began their lifetime together and remained committed to each other always. In 1980, they moved to Florida, where they lived until returning to Idaho in March 1996, eventually settling on the family home site in Sweetwater.

Larry is survived by his wife, Rachel, at the family home; sons Scott (Nydrie) of Salem, Ore., Stann of Lewiston, Laird (Natalia) of Orlando, and Jon (Tara) Paisano of Sweetwater; daughters Sue of Spokane, and Paula (Gary) Manlick of Lewiston; grandchildren Isaac (Emily) Edwards of Portland, Ore., Naphtalie (Saul) Sasan of Salem, Nick (Kate) Edwards of Los Angeles, Ethan Edwards of Salem, Jake Manlick of Boise, Hannah (Travis) Beck of Lewiston, and Damion and Anisa Paisano of Sweetwater; great-grandchildren Miles Edwards of Portland, Benton Beck of Lewiston, and Harper Sasan of Salem; and sister Joanne (Boyd) Pederson of Lewiston. He also is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and Rachel's family, who called Larry "Uncle" and "Grandpa" and who loved him dearly. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Marie; in-laws Ferris and Frances Paisano; and brothers R.B., Donald and Winfield Edwards.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Malcom's Brower-Wann Chapel. A dinner will follow the service at the Sacred Heart Parish Hall in Lapwai.